Examinations, the digital way

Updated on: Monday, April 20, 2009

In their path-breaking journey from conventional teaching to e-learning, some universities have travelled the extra mile to introduce online examination. In fact, this happened a year ago. The students of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, took their mid-semester examinations online as early as April 2008. From delivery of question paper to evaluation, everything was done online. The scores were sent to the students through email.

The next step in this direction will be digital marksheets. However, the university’s faculty which has devised the whole system feels that it has to strengthen the examination system before venturing into digital marksheets. According to V. Valluvaparidasan, Controller of Examinations, TNAU, the university will have to make a policy decision on introducing digital marksheets. A similar achievement was made by Anna University, Coimbatore, recently when it adopted an integrated Examination Management System (EMS).

In this system, a whole range of processes — registration of candidates, publication of results, printing of marksheets and certificates, and so on — are done online. It is also expected to encompass other examination processes such as hall ticket generation, secure delivery of question papers, multiple digital evaluation, tracking of students’ performance and performance analysis. The system, provided by Mindlogicx Infotech Limited, is implemented in such a way that the university serves as a Networking Centre with affiliated colleges as the Examination Data Centres.

The system was introduced in a gradual way. The university has not yet ventured into online examinations. The overall system will be based on SGPA (Semester Grade Point Average) and CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) rather than marks. The 9-point scheme of the international system of grading will be followed.

Chennai-based Odyssey Technologies has developed Altasigna, a software that can generate large-scale digital documents. Commenting on implementation of digital exams and marksheets in universities, Robert Raja, director of the company says, “Despite the benefits involved, a digital document falls short of its physical equivalent with respect to confidentiality, authentication, integrity and non-repudiation. Therefore, a digital document has to be digitally signed and frozen in such a way that tampering is impossible. ”

Stephan Balzter, representative of German Academic Exchange Service, Chennai, says “Issuing of digital marksheets can speed up the admission procedure to some extent. The time wasted on cross-verification with the Indian university with regard to the student’s marks secured can be saved.”

“Digital marksheet system can cut down cost and it will be convenient as well as it can be stored even in a mobile phone. Also, students need not waste time for getting the marksheets attested,” says Mr. Raja.

“Digital marksheets as a genuine proof of marks in future can eliminate faking scores and degrees. Apart from being hassle-free, it simplifies the application procedure for applying for internships, research programmes and higher education overseas. Marksheet verification procedure can also be eliminated,” says N. Namrita, III year engineering student of S.A. Engineering College, Chennai. “But the responsibility of the company creating this technology will be huge. Because, once hacked, the consequences can be dire. The software must make sure other websites do not replicate the results published,” she says.

“Hacking digital marksheets is not as easy as faking a physical marksheet. But let me tell you that it is difficult, but not impossible to hack a digital marksheet,” says Mr. Balzter.

According to vice-chancellor of Anna University, Coimbatore, R. Radhakrishnan, the digital shift will aid in managing examinations virtually in a transparent, efficient and foolproof manner. “We will try to get the first set of digital marksheets ready by July. It will come with international security barcode and authentication. Hence, there will be no question as to its genuineness. Also, it cannot be downloaded or photocopied.”

For more information visit : www.hindu.com

Examinations, the digital way

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